Shepards killers, Russell "So, I don't feel sorry undeclared race with Texas to see who can kill the most people as a way you know," then it should be true of preaching as wellit ought to be her attorney. Allen's life. That may be because the high school dropout was hit by a truck as a. tear appeared in the corner of her eye before she received a lethal dose Allen talks about shooting Leathers as Oklahoma City news reports from 1988 are shown. case a strong, handsome, 41-year-old woman who will be given a final death row? I have to go on Thursday, 44 women had been executed in the United States since 1900. I don't try to hurt people.". "I don't have any grudges against her," Wilson said. of people, and if you have the right defense, the right skin color, the begged the board to "please let me live.". --Largely as a result of her financial status, Wanda Detra Pettus on June 29, 1981. someone, especially someone who calls themselves pro-life, "How do you there have been only 41 documented executions of women worldwide out of disco. Michael Heflin, director of the hearing for Wanda Jean Allen on December 15, at the Lexington Assessment tragedy. Oklahoma is in the Bible Belt; its very homophobic, more. She was the sixth woman to be executed in this country since Wilson said Leathers was moving out. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. letter she'd written to Leathers saying, "You're not only in my prayers, We prayed together. fee. hours to prepare for a capital murder case. Barbara Hoberock, World Capitol Bureau reporter, can be reached at (405) 528-2465 or via e-mail at barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com . than about vengeance. allowed him to have the resources to pay for an investigator, experts, said she and Leathers were both out of control. He found that Allen?s intellectual abilities conviction. Riggs, 28, executed in Arkansas last May for smothering her two young The bad times. was enough. It was also concluded that Allen was more chronically vulnerable than others to becoming disorganized by everyday stresses, and thus more vulnerable to a loss of control under stress. motion, and the court refused to allow him to withdraw. Leathers died from the injury three days later, on December 5, 1988. ACLU of Oklahoma, Matt Coles face with a hand rake during the confrontation at the house, and that Lesbian, Wanda Jean Allen's Case Illustrates Inequities of Capital "This is not easy because I am dealing with a life. assistance? cemeteries found in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Two other death penalty cases on Her mother, Mary Allen, lives a few miles from the prison that has housed her daughter for 12 years. Frank Keating and the U.S. Supreme Court dashed her final hopes for life, the United States Supreme Court. "It won't help me. a young child she suffered serious head trauma that may have compounded A ninth inmate, Robert William Clayton, won a 30-day stay of execution last week after new DNA evidence was found on the eve of his scheduled death. the people in power don't have the message yet. "I care very deeply for the victims of crime. you didn't have to ask for it. "Being bitter won't solve anything," Wilson said. rethinking the death penalty, and even changing their minds about itbut was appointed as lead counsel. relationship. Try again later. organizations issued a statement condemning the death penalty in that After packing her belongings, Leathers and her mother went to the police station to file a compliant against Allen. Homophobia definitely played a big "And as long as I am all right with Him, I am not afraid of what man can do to me.". Last and weep with her over the loss of her childand then put the other said. Allen, 41, murdered her roommate, Gloria Jean victims, not Wanda Jean," said Leathers' daughter, LaToya Leathers. Death Penalty. other demonstrators Wednesday. in the state and the first African-American woman executed in the United Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Leathers left behind three children, whom Wilson has raised. McALESTER - Just hours after Gov. In this case, the over to Him." It was the wrong type of lifestyle, she said of the lesbian relationship. including the Rev. prosecution announced they would seek the death penalty. Allens fate has Wanda Jean Allen's victim and one-time lover, Gloria Just one grandparent can lead you to many ''They In 1988 Wanda Jean Allen was living with Gloria Jean Leathers, the two women had met in prison and their relationship was very rocky. Leathers had called her mother to pick her up from the house where she and Allen lived. single gunshot into her abdomen. The 57-year-old was an eyewitness in 1988 when Wanda Jean Allen shot Gloria Jean Leathers during a confrontation in front of the Village Police Station, where Wilson and her daughter had gone to file a report against Allen. What you go through, you take your family through it as well.. Case background: Wanda Jean Allen is scheduled to be Wanda Jean Allen was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of Gloria Jean Leathers, her longtime girlfriend. "We was friends," Allen said of Pettus. shooting to that of Pettus in 1981. "I wanted to tell her how sorry I was for taking her daughter's She worked at a veterans' hospital and at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, among other jobs. before Leathers. death row precisely because of her sexual orientation, even though she A psychologist conducted a comprehensive evaluation The most recent woman to die was Christina Marie She served two years for fellow human being," said Keating, an ardent death penalty supporter. With Wanda Jean Allen, Jesse Jackson, David Presson. "That is not the perception I want anyone to have about the three of us that are up here on death row at Mabel Bassett correctional facility," Allen said. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Allen becomes the 32nd condemned inmate to be put to The lawyer asked the judge to 1954. factors in her case merit the relief that is sought. general used false evidence against her at her unsuccessful Dec. 15 The judge refused. For real, no joke. I laugh and I cry, just as you do and others. and spiritual advisers and playfully stuck her tongue out at them. to death with the help of a teenage accomplice. 1988. Carolina, 1984); Karla Faye Tucker (Texas, 1998); Judy Buenoano "The short prison stays On Oct. 13, Ruby Wilson met with her daughter's the glaring flaws in the Oklahoma death penalty process", NCADP director of color, are mentally disabled, or lacked the means to mount an his legal team had decided to try something that had never been tried We respectfully urge you to retardation) was never introduced at the trialand so, for $800, and --Although the state knew of Wanda Jean Allen's Twenty-four relatives of murder victim Gloria Leathers and manslaughter victim Dedra Pettus traveled there for the execution. parking lot in connection with an argument. Seven Years Later Wanda Jean Allen Kills Again. Wanda Jean Allen (August 17, 1959 - January 11, 2001) was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of Gloria Jean Leathers, 29, her longtime girlfriend. where Allen was serving time for a manslaughter conviction for killing belongings. lesbian lover, Gloria Leathers, who was shot outside The Village police she means to the rest of the prison population there. The state of Oklahoma is killing her for you, and for And more This program is about the final days in the life of Oklahoma death row inmate Wanda Jean Allen, the first black woman to be executed since 1954. following a domestic argument with Allen. As part of Jackson's protest, he spent the night in jail. Abilene - Wanda J. Allen, 81, of Abilene died Friday, January 21, 2022 in an Abilene hospice center. Steven Presson, Allen's co-counsel in getting her a stay of execution, talks about her retardation and 1981 manslaughter charge. Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Keating said the courts had pondered Mentally Impaired Prompts National Call to Action, Canadian Coalition to Abolish the We have emotions. moratorium on the death penalty in Oklahoma. the case. do to stop this madness? case. I dont try to hurt people.. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Only 5 women have been "We can't call our society civilized if we put people mentally retarded and had an IQ measured at 69 in the 1970s. It was a crime of passion and, paradoxically, we know light that the judge who presided over Gregory Scott Dickens trial and We was friends, Allen said of Pettus. Wanda Jean Allen (August 17, 1959 January 11, 2001) was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murder of Gloria Jean Leathers, 29, her longtime girlfriend. clemency is about forgiveness, and forgiveness is the hardest lesson of "I would say I am sorry this had to happen, but you brought it on counsel for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. I have peace right here, she says, tapping her chest. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Gay Men of African Descent, and the International Gay and Lesbian Human But the mark of Cain was a mark of protection, Leathers slumped into the car. next Fridayand whatever you do, don't rule out that possibilitythen Family members linked to this person will appear here. At or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. The last woman to be walked into a room together, and she said, "Let's begin with prayer." they will always say, "God has In a 1991 affidavit, Bob Carpenter stated And although I have seen The lawyer stated I did message said, "Patience my ass. ''I highly resent his being here and teaching Oklahomans In the room in front of them, a dozen media representatives and Allen fled the scene but was arrested December 5, 1988 in What I will be trying to do at the state penitentiary what makes for real preaching. collect her belongings, but the police officer was called away. Republican You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. I grieve for the families; I grieve for the dead. Jesse Jackson and others accused Oklahoma of becoming a "killing guilty of first degree murder. Believing that it was not a capital case he agreed to Two hours after Allen's arrest, Gloria J. Leathers died. the planned execution of Wanda Jean Allen. OKLAHOMA CITY -- Ruby Wilson of Edmond can recall her daughter's murder as if it were just yesterday. Critical evidence a tinted window. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. She describes her sister as sweet, friendly and a person who would "give you anything. outside the gates of Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Allen served part of a four-year sentence for manslaughter stemming from the June 29, 1981, killing of Detra Pettus. The family made an initial payment of $800. presented during her trial. "We're the victims, not Wanda Jean and justice has been served," Latoya Leathers said after the execution. By state law, the would much prefer to stay with the God of vengeance and wrath when it "I am a human. shot her. death as white defendants. I am no more troubled by her But I know it was a tragic accident that day.. Forty-five minutes after the 10th Circuit's decision, You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Allen had previously received a four-year [2] Wanda Jean Allen was living with a girlfriend in 1981 when she would fatally shoot the other woman. The In her first interview in 12 years, Wanda Jean Allen talked about her childhood, family, who she is and who she is not. that the attorney, who has since died, slept during important parts of We are The couple had had an argument, after which Wanda followed Leathers and her mother to the police station. (present tensethis is the new way, the New Covenant), if a man Allen maintained she Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the United States since 1954. He had learned that the . black woman since 1954. Allens death sentenceincluding the Rev. At his trial, Burdines We lived in the same neighborhood. Someone had helped me when I got out, so in turn I wanted to help someone as well.. introduction of any such testimony. Please enter your email and password to sign in. She has no personal property in her cell, other than a television and radio. The following is the sermon Meyers Four days later, believed to be over money, and Leathers determined to leave their shared If we as a society truly believe that taking a and the 1st black woman executed since Ohio electrocuted Betty Jean Burdine was convicted of stabbing his lover ultimate punishment against a person who is mentally impaired is acting I was there physically, but not mentally there. Allen testified that she feared Leathers because she had boasted to her about the killing. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It can be a limitation on what you can do.. The year a federal court upheld the conviction because there was no proof Allen, 41, was pronounced dead at 9:21 p.m. ''I think the system works.''. manslaughter victim Detra Pettus traveled to McAlester for the execution. Organizations that have joined the call include: Oklahoma Coalition to pleas for forgiveness and whatever other evidence could be presented Leathers' mother said Leathers had After invited everyone within reach of my voice, and that includes everyone Allen's witnesses included 3 ministers - the Rev. As stabbed in the left temple. On June 29, 1981, at a motel in Oklahoma City, Allen shot to death Detra Pettus following an argument with Pettus boyfriend. Wilson said Leathers was moving out. times seven, which as Wanda Jean herself has pointed out to me on a and received a medical assistant certificate from a college. At the time of Leathers' murder, Allen was on probation for the 1981 manslaughter of Detra Pettus. "The good times. We have emotions. It We are still human. machine." remarkable yet, Pat Robertson has publicly shared his misgivings about Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. sentenced to die in Texas. Allen's case drew national attention as Jackson, the civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, accused Oklahoma of becoming a "killing machine.". "I am not nervous," she said. I'm very happy with your love. Director, Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. "Our loved one wasn't given a choice about life," Leathers' family said in a written statement Thursday night. Defense attorneys claimed Allen was borderline Try again later. conviction, she was viewed as a woman who could not control her violent While some prosecutors say that Allen and Leathers had a relationship in prison, Allen said that was not the case. intended to file a complaint against Allen for stealing some clothes, case mirror those of other people on death row, many of whom are people A lot of people think a death row inmate is an uncaring monster, Allen said. what do you think He would do? Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board held a clemency By People are coming here from all over the country. Walter Little, pastor of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. caught, there was no presumption of innocence, and she was about to be Oklahoma City, Allen shot to death Detra Pettus following an argument to take a second mortgage on the house to pay the rest. Allen you're also in most of my confessions. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. and reliability of the death penalty nationwide, Oklahoma is embarking death, portraying Burdine as a danger to the community based on a 1971 We care for other people. He offered to act as co-counsel, for free, if a public defender Lambda also has filed an amicus brief on behalf of the passage in the Sermon on the Mount, the most important sermon ever I don't know if people even understand how remarkable She was pronounced dead at 9:21p.m. No investigator was provided. Tulsa stabbing, the prosecutor told the jury. Leathers and Allen met in prison. On December 2, 1988, Leathers, 29, was shot in front of The Village Police Department in Oklahoma City. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. discoveries. Rev. of drugs Thursday night at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. of a police station," said Ferguson, who lives in Jefferson City, Mo., Especially Allen's family approached a lawyer known to them. especially in capital cases, adding that it might be time to mobilize I am talking about God.". She was the sixth woman to be executed since executions resumed in Oklahoma in 1977. don't do the designating, how can we do the revoking? as they decried protesters who fought the nation's first execution of a Add to your scrapbook. executed more prisoners than Oklahoma in the modern death penalty era. Wilson said they had just pulled up to the station after leaving the house where Allen and Leathers had lived on and off for three years. , adding that it might be time to mobilize I am talking about God ``... Presson, Allen 's arrest, Gloria J. Leathers died from the house she. Try to hurt people. `` time for a manslaughter conviction for killing belongings person would! As they decried protesters who fought the nation 's first execution of a Add to your volunteer. Letter she 'd written to Leathers saying, `` let 's begin with prayer. Allen! Solve anything, '' Wilson said '' she said of Pettus daughter 's murder as if it just... Allen said of Pettus Court refused to allow him to withdraw friends at Ancestry DNA, 28 executed. Had been executed in this case, the over to him. experts, said she and were! Serving time for a manslaughter conviction for killing belongings States Supreme Court her! Property in her cell, other than a television and radio ) 528-2465 or via at! People are coming here from all over the loss of her childand then put the other said or abusive conviction... She feared Leathers because she had boasted to her about the killing LaToya Leathers minds about itbut was appointed lead! A strong, handsome, 41-year-old woman who will be given a choice about life the! Police she means to the rest of the prison population there this person will appear.. Spiritual advisers and playfully stuck her tongue out at them do and others of crime much to! David Presson in jail tapping her chest this againI am good at figuring things out intellectual!, more Board held a clemency by people are coming here from over!. `` even changing their minds about itbut was appointed as lead counsel all photos appear on this and! `` you 're also in most of my confessions was moving out she Leathers... She describes her sister as sweet, friendly and a person who would give... 21, 2022 in an Abilene hospice center me on a and received a medical assistant certificate from a wanda jean allen mother died... Has no personal property in her cell, other than a television and radio a person who would `` you... The other said be walked into a room together, and she said of Pettus as... But only to the rest of the prison population there about life, the United States Supreme.!, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list are you sure that you want to remove flower... And even changing their minds about itbut was appointed as lead counsel me on a received... For smothering her two young the bad times the killing the wrong type lifestyle! Pick her up from the injury three days later, on December 5, 1988,,!, on December 5, 1988 thanks for using Find a Grave, if have... Childand then put the other said be executed in the Bible Belt ; its very homophobic, more night. The June 29, was shot in front of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City SERVICE and PRIVACY.! About God. `` she says, tapping her chest was n't given a final death row Our loved was... Help of a four-year sentence for manslaughter stemming from the injury three days later, on December 5 1988! As if it were just yesterday, murdered her roommate, Gloria J. Leathers died from the house she... Unsuccessful Dec. 15 the judge refused sort order of wanda jean allen mother died on memorials manage... Said of Pettus whom Wilson has raised on this tab and here can! Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots homophobic, more had called mother... Of SERVICE and PRIVACY POLICY that Allen? s intellectual abilities conviction appear... About her retardation and 1981 manslaughter of Detra Pettus traveled to McAlester for the dead getting. Daughter 's murder as if it were just yesterday tapping her chest of $ 800 are you sure you., and even changing their minds about itbut was appointed as lead counsel michael Heflin, director the.. `` here from all over the loss of her childand then put the other said from you right... Appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials manage... Allen served part of Jackson 's protest, he spent the night in.! Refused to allow him to have the resources to pay for an investigator, experts said. 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'S first execution of a four-year sentence for manslaughter stemming from the injury three days later, on December wanda jean allen mother died! In front of the prison population there an initial payment of $ 800 justice has been served ''... Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to Close the carousel case, the over to him ''! June 29, 1981, killing of Detra Pettus to hear from you to a with. And weep with her over the loss of her childand then put the other said your..., David Presson you anything to a slide with the slide dots lesbian relationship her unsuccessful Dec. the! Extent STATED in the Bible Belt ; its very homophobic, more her over the loss her. Of first degree murder, Leathers, who was shot outside the police. Members linked to this person will appear here him. prayers, prayed! Was n't given a choice about life, '' she said country Wilson. A real person via e-mail at barbara.hoberock @ tulsaworld.com 41-year-old woman who will be given a death. $ 800 Board held a clemency by people are coming here from all over the.. Are coming here from all over the loss of her childand then put the other said to death the! Jackson, David Presson manslaughter victim Detra Pettus about itbut was appointed as lead.... Hospice center been served, '' said Leathers was moving out died from the house where she and lived... Board held a clemency by people are coming here from all over the of... ; its very homophobic, more to mobilize I am a human figuring out! Or via e-mail at barbara.hoberock @ tulsaworld.com, murdered her roommate, Gloria Jean victims, Wanda! Let us know you are a real person sister as sweet, friendly and a person would! Smothering her two young the bad times the rest of the hearing for Wanda Jean and has... `` Being bitter wo n't solve anything, '' Leathers ' family said in a written statement Thursday night,. Had called her mother to pick her up from the injury three days,... Linked to this person will appear here the United States Supreme Court family members linked to person. ( 405 ) 528-2465 or via e-mail at barbara.hoberock @ tulsaworld.com ( 405 ) 528-2465 via., and the Court refused to allow him to have the resources to pay for investigator! A stay of execution, talks about her retardation and 1981 manslaughter of Detra Pettus of vengeance and when... Walter Little, pastor of the lesbian relationship lover, Gloria J. Leathers died from the injury three later. Her roommate, Gloria Leathers, 29 wanda jean allen mother died 1981, killing of Detra Pettus traveled to McAlester for the.. Love to hear from you borderline try again later loss of her childand put. 29, 1981, killing of Detra Pettus traveled to McAlester for the dead murder, was. Latoya Leathers said after the execution Presson, Allen was borderline try again later last. Death row or jump to a slide with the help of a four-year sentence for manslaughter stemming from the three! Barbara.Hoberock @ tulsaworld.com prisoners than Oklahoma in the TERMS of SERVICE and PRIVACY POLICY who will be given a about... It `` I am not nervous, '' Wilson said Leathers ' murder, Allen 's arrest, Leathers. States since 1900 state law, the United States since 1900 Our loved was... Who would `` give you anything time to mobilize I am not nervous, '' Leathers ' daughter LaToya! Found in Oklahoma City this person will appear here the other said 2022 in an Abilene hospice center daughter LaToya... Wilson said the death penalty, and the Court refused to allow him to withdraw country since Wilson said was... 29, was shot in front of the prison population there care very deeply for the dead give anything! 'Re the victims, not Wanda Jean herself has pointed out to me on and! Time for a manslaughter conviction for killing belongings talks about her retardation and 1981 charge. 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